How to choose a Shopify agency

The UK has hundreds of Shopify agencies — from solo freelancers to large networks. Choosing the right partner for a build or migration is one of the most consequential vendor decisions you will make. Here is what we tell merchants to look for (and what to avoid).

Check their actual work

Look for case studies with specifics: platform migrated from, catalogue size, integrations delivered, measurable outcomes. Vague "we build beautiful stores" claims without evidence are a red flag.

Ask to speak with a past client in a similar industry or with similar complexity. A good agency will facilitate this; a great one will offer it proactively.

Evaluate technical depth

Can they handle your specific needs? ERP integration, B2B pricing, subscriptions, headless, custom checkout — not every agency can. Check Shopify Partner tier, Plus experience, and whether senior developers are on your project (not just account managers).

We are a Shopify Partner since 2016 with 27 five-star reviews and deep experience in migration, Plus, and custom development.

Understand their process

A clear process — discovery, design, build, QA, launch, support — reduces risk. Ask about project management, communication cadence, staging environments and what happens if scope changes.

Fixed-scope proposals after discovery are standard for reputable agencies. Open-ended hourly billing without a cap is risky for you.

Pricing transparency

You should get a ballpark before committing to paid discovery. Agencies that refuse to discuss budget ranges may not be the right fit for pragmatic merchants.

Cheapest is rarely best. Compare value: what is included, what is excluded, and what ongoing support looks like after launch.

Post-launch support

The launch is not the finish line. Ask about support plans, response times, and whether the same team handles post-launch work. Agencies that disappear after go-live leave you stranded when you need them most.

We stay on after every build — because that is when the real optimisation begins.